Montreal won 5-1 at KeyBank Center on Friday, with Alex Newhook scoring twice and Jakub Dobeš making 27 saves as the second-round series moved to 1-1.
Buffalo were undone by 13 giveaways, a 0-for-5 power play and losing 30 of 53 faceoffs, while Tage Thompson went pointless and was on ice for four Canadiens goals.
Zach Benson scored Buffalo's lone goal, but coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres must handle the puck better before Sunday's Game 3 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Is an undisclosed injury to star Tage Thompson the real reason for the Sabres' stunning Game 2 collapse?
With a perfect road record, are the Sabres built to win away, or will their season be exposed in Montreal?